36 Inch Lip Gripper for only $2

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I'm a Harbor Freight junkie. Love to wander the aisles looking at all the cheap stuff I never before knew that I couldn't live without. Amazing how many things you never had and never knew existed and then WHAM...there it is and you gotta have it...and it's so cheap you can't afford not to buy it. (Sounds like a woman buying shoes)[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Anyway, I took my most recent flier I got in the paper, full of coupons to Harbor Freight, and marked a few items to look at. One of them was a 36" Pick Up and Reach Tool. Been looking for a fish lip gripper longer than the 12" one I have...for reaching down into ice holes and dragging up the toothy fishies that you really don't wanna lip. Couldn't find the 24" ones by Berkeley anymore. Thought I would check out this tool and see if I could make it work. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Coupon limit was 6 at the $1.79 special price. Regular price was $2.99. WHAT A DEAL! I got two and plan to go back for more. I used my coupon but they have extra fliers by the door going in.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I got them home and put the heat gun lightly to the end of the plastic tongs and worked them to point inward instead of outward. Let them cool in the right position and then started playing with it. Wow. It says on the label that the maximum lift capacity is 2 pounds, but I easily grabbed and lifted several items in my garage that were quite a bit heavier. Easy to use and a good solid hold. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I haven't had a chance to use it on the ice yet, but attached it to the lip of my resin cast northern just for show and tell. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The sale lasts until mid February if anybody else wants to pick one up and give it a try. I got mine at the Redwood Rd. and 7200 south location.[/#0000ff]
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[Leaky33]

That looks like an interesting idea. I've always wanted a fish grabber but never spent the nickles to get one, Now, --------. maybe. The only thing I don't like about it is the length, pretty long!!! Maybe, though, that's an advantage, especially for toothies in a boat, even for smaller fish, i.e. bass. What do ya think about it's use for us tubers?
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[Leaky33]

P.S. Thanks T.D. Good on ya.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Actually, I am thinking that the longer handle will be very good for tubers and tooners. I have lost a few fish that I could not get close enough to get in the net and would just roll out a ways with their mouths open. Walleyes are notorious for that. And, it is always a good idea to grab any fish with teeth or spines and control them before bringing them aboard in an inflated craft. If nothing else, you can hold them at a distance...like pike and muskies. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I can especially see a benefit when fishing for large crappies. They have a paper thin mouth and when you try to lift them aboard the hook often pulls free. Being able to reach out and touch them will probably save a few. Ditto for bass. Might be able to grab them just a few headshakes sooner and release them better, without touching them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I plan to do plenty of research on the subject. Maybe you can teach Sparkman to use it and he can help you land the fish instead of just chasing them.[/#0000ff]
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[brookie]

What about ice fishing - I know it illegal to use a gaff or even have one with you. Would this kind of instrument be considered legal or not?
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[fsh4fun05]

Boca Grips or Berkley Lip Grips. Use these year around no matter the fish. Don't bother with buying cheap crap. I like saving $$$ but don't get me wrong, buy something that will hold on to the fish while you take a picture.
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[TubeDude]

[quote brookie]What about ice fishing - I know it illegal to use a gaff or even have one with you. Would this kind of instrument be considered legal or not?[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]Gaffs ARE illegal...except at at Lake Powell where they may be used for landing striped bass. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Lip grippers ARE legal because they do not harm fish and are actually better on both the fish and angler when used to subdue and to hold the fish for unhooking...especially if you plan to release the fish.[/#0000ff]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I already own several of the high priced grippers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In case you couldn't figure this one out, it is a novelty...not meant to be substituted for sturdier grabbers when you have a big fish on the line.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, for smaller fish (trout) that won't put their heads in the hole, it could help with the guiding process and will haul out some good sized fish without having to kneel on the ice or get your arm wet. A lot of fish are lost at the hole when impatient anglers try to muscle them out and either break the line or bend the hooks.[/#0000ff]
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[Bountyhunter]

TD, your resourcefulness is astounding!
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[Kent]

This thread was headed the wrong direction and so I deleted several replies. If you guys want to send PMs back and forth, go for it, but please don't make any further similar posts on the general forum.
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[brookie]

Hey thanks for taking control - quite a few of the post have become extremely negative lately. They get really annoying. Many of us really enjoy reading and sharing vicariously other members trips without all the insults. There are always differences of opinion, but if we want to read people insulting each other we can always read the comments on KSL.com. Thanks again.
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